Storm’s gold medalists show no signs of fatigue in Commissioner’s Cup win

Only five days after leading Team USA to its seventh straight gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, Breanna Stewart, Sue Bird and Jewell Loyd were a big reason Seattle won the WNBA’s inaugural Commissioner’s Cup title.

The trio combined for 43 points Thursday night, lifting the Storm over the Connecticut Sun, 79-57.

JEWELL. LOYD. THREEEEEE. 🔥@jewellloyd x #TakeCover pic.twitter.com/uONLUQrf6G

— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) August 13, 2021

Jet lag proved no match for Stewart, who posted a game-high 17 points and contributed four steals and three blocks to the Storm’s charge.

Stewart got to work early, going 5-for-6 from the field and notching 15 points in the first quarter alone.

“I think obviously understanding setting the tone, but I think that despite everything from this week and being jet-lagged and stuff, once we got through our warmup, it was a regular scheduled program,” Stewart said of her first-quarter performance.

BR3ANNA BUCKETS 🪣@breannastewart X #TakeCover pic.twitter.com/kjiswrTrfd

— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) August 13, 2021

Loyd scored 16 points and grabbed three boards, while Bird recorded 10 points and five assists to help the Storm run away from the Sun.

🏆💰 We want it. We got it. 💰🏆#TakeCover pic.twitter.com/4yYz1EDqmM

— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) August 13, 2021

So, how did the Storm fend off the Tokyo jet lag?

“A lot of champagne,” Bird said.

As the first-ever Commissioner’s Cup champions, the Storm have another reason to sip champagne, with each Seattle player pocketing a cash prize of $30,000. The game also counts toward the WNBA standings, solidifying the Storm’s spot atop the league.